Shovelhead A place to talk about Shovelheads.

anyone still run the stock primary chain oiler?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 9, 2014 | 04:43 PM
  #1  
kino44's Avatar
kino44
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 311
Likes: 13
From: florida
Default anyone still run the stock primary chain oiler?

I have a 1984 FLT EVO shovel bottom end with a dry clutch and primary oiler im new to this set up, I hear good and bad things.some say isolate the primary keeps clutch debris out of oil use about 6 to 8 oz of fluid check it often others say they have ran stock primary oiler for years with no issues.I would think it cant be to bad of a design Harley used it for years.I know JAP bikes share the same primary and engine oil. would like to hear from those who still run stock setup
 
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2014 | 06:55 PM
  #2  
Tom84FXST's Avatar
Tom84FXST
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
Default

I will never run one...I just tore down an 83 with less than 13k original miles...when I dissembled the primary one of the little screws that hold the plastic clip over the stator wires was missing...didn't think much of it at the time...when I dissembled the motor I found out where it went...if the primary had been separate it would have just laid in the bottom of the primary case with no problem...but it got sucked back through the motor with these results.



 
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2014 | 04:57 AM
  #3  
kino44's Avatar
kino44
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 311
Likes: 13
From: florida
Default primary oiler

OUCH! ok guess I will isolate it seems like most do.I just brought this bike and its in rough shape it is still hooked up to the oiler nobody isolated it.I haven't pulled the primary yet but did the top everything looks good so far.I hear I need different clutch plates and not to use the stock if I isolate it? a wet and dry type? would you know of any brands of wet dry plates I need to get?
 
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2014 | 07:51 AM
  #4  
V_twins's Avatar
V_twins
Road Captain
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 742
Likes: 23
Default

even with oil in the primary, clutch is dry type
I've run both systems, no issues with either
I was told by and old school shovelhead expert mechanic that keeping the oiler is better though
 
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2014 | 11:54 AM
  #5  
FilthyLucre's Avatar
FilthyLucre
Road Master
15 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 39
From: NW Florida
Default

Your bike your choice. I run the stock oil system and have for 41 years with no issues. Change your oil often. The stock system keeps your primary chain well oiled and the chain will last and last. I routinely remove the cover and clean the gunk that collects at the baffles ridges formed by the cover screw channels. That what they were designed for. Clean the magnetic drain plug and the sump where it sits. The oil has to rise above the level of the sump to get pulled back so the heavy stuff will settle.

If you isolate the primary make sure you check the oil level religiously. Running it low for only a few miles will ruin both the chain and adjuster pad.
 
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2014 | 02:45 PM
  #6  
kino44's Avatar
kino44
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 311
Likes: 13
From: florida
Default oiller

Originally Posted by V_twins
even with oil in the primary, clutch is dry type
I've run both systems, no issues with either
I was told by and old school shovelhead expert mechanic that keeping the oiler is better though

Yea I hear that to many have for years with no issues
 
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2014 | 02:48 PM
  #7  
kino44's Avatar
kino44
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 311
Likes: 13
From: florida
Default oiler

Originally Posted by FilthyLucre
Your bike your choice. I run the stock oil system and have for 41 years with no issues. Change your oil often. The stock system keeps your primary chain well oiled and the chain will last and last. I routinely remove the cover and clean the gunk that collects at the baffles ridges formed by the cover screw channels. That what they were designed for. Clean the magnetic drain plug and the sump where it sits. The oil has to rise above the level of the sump to get pulled back so the heavy stuff will settle.

If you isolate the primary make sure you check the oil level religiously. Running it low for only a few miles will ruin both the chain and adjuster pad.

Think Im going to have to agree I heard of guys gernading their clutches and primaries running with sealed they forget to check their oil level Im gona leave it alone where is this magnetic plug you speak of? I also may try to design one somewhere to collect the tiny shavings
 
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2014 | 02:54 PM
  #8  
YeOldeStonecat's Avatar
YeOldeStonecat
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12,208
Likes: 7,768
From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
Default

If ya keep it as is....change oil/filter more often, and clean the primary area every now 'n then...she'll be fine.

If you don't feel like changing your oil/filter often....isolate it.
Sometimes the steps are a pain....I snapped off the brass fitting on my oil feed in the back of my inner primary when I was removing it..when I isolated mine. Was to put in a NPT plug. Prior owner musta locktited it. So I just put a few dabs of freaking red silicon goop in that hole...can't see it. Dang cheap fix. Threading the NTP plug into the feed behind the oil pump is a fun trick that'll challenge your dexterity and patience.....took me about 3 beers (I drink wicked quick though)
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 10, 2014 | 03:05 PM
  #9  
kino44's Avatar
kino44
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 311
Likes: 13
From: florida
Default oiler

This system has been used for years what since the 60,s? have you ever heard of anyone blowing their bikes up from this? I haven't unless it was due to neglect or lack of routine maintenance.I hear the deal with isolating the primary is for longer engine life.I have heard of guys getting 100,000 miles and more with the stock setup hell if I can get 100,000 or more id be happy thats about the common life of a motorcycle anyway.I know JAP bikes share the same oil with primary with no issues.

I am **** about my bikes on my sporty I changed the oil ridiculously at 2,000 I am constantly doing checks and maintenance,cleaning and tightening,adjusting lubing they wont do it for ya I believe in routine constant maintenance.things can start going wrong from just one trip.people just ride their bikes and expect them to hold up don't work that way so,I feel I should be fine running the oiler
 
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2014 | 03:08 PM
  #10  
kino44's Avatar
kino44
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 311
Likes: 13
From: florida
Default

Originally Posted by YeOldeStonecat
If ya keep it as is....change oil/filter more often, and clean the primary area every now 'n then...she'll be fine.

If you don't feel like changing your oil/filter often....isolate it.
Sometimes the steps are a pain....I snapped off the brass fitting on my oil feed in the back of my inner primary when I was removing it..when I isolated mine. Was to put in a NPT plug. Prior owner musta locktited it. So I just put a few dabs of freaking red silicon goop in that hole...can't see it. Dang cheap fix. Threading the NTP plug into the feed behind the oil pump is a fun trick that'll challenge your dexterity and patience.....took me about 3 beers (I drink wicked quick though)

LOL on the 3 beers
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:54 AM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE